Firm Foundation

In Matthew Chapter 7, Jesus tells the parable of two builders – a foolish one, and a wise one.  You probably remember this… the wise builder builds his house on a rock, and the storm can’t destroy it…but the foolish builder builds his house on the sand, and when a storm comes, everything gets blown away.  Jesus tells his disciples that “everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice” is like the wise builder.

As with all of Jesus’s parables, there’s an underlying message about God’s Kingdom and how believers should live. 

Here are three things we can learn from the parable:

1. It’s better to be wise than foolish. Following and obeying God is the wise thing to do. When you learn God’s principles (found in Scripture), listening to the words of our Savior and doing what he says, you will be like that wise builder, and your efforts will have eternal value. The foolish man…who ignores and disobeys God…ends up with nothing to show for all his hard work.
   

2. Only a firm foundation can protect you from the storms of life. The key is to choose a firm foundation, instead of a weak one. Worldly promises and desires spring from human weakness and have no power to protect or save anyone. 1 Corinthians 15:42 emphasizes the difference between trusting temporal philosophies and putting your faith in the risen Christ: So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. Place your trust and obedience in the imperishable Son of God, and the storms of life won’t destroy you. 
   

3. Storms happen. Both the wise and the foolish builder had to live through the bad weather.  So do you. But in the end, the wise man was the only one left standing.
   

So, let’s inspect your foundation for a moment. Are you really depending on God for everything? Are you intentionally standing on Christ as your solid rock, in the midst of every circumstance?

It's tempting to think you can go it alone, but the “Do-it-Yourself” philosophy of life is a blueprint for frustration and meaninglessness. Only the Lord is strong enough to provide for, protect, and rescue you. Everyone desperately needs Jesus, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

How to Be Wise

Ephesians 5:15 admonishes believers to be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. The power to live wisely like this is supernatural, coming from the Holy Spirit at work in those who believe in Christ.  So, no matter how smart, or successful, or hardworking you are, you still need God, but depending on God for everything does take practice.  It’s a matter of daily discipline.  Here are a few actions you can take to build on the rock instead of the sand:

Study God’s Word and follow biblical principles. God cares about the details of your life, because he loves you.  That’s why there’s so much in the Bible about how to be wise with money, possessions, actions, relationships, and even your thought life.

Stick to your faith when temptation and opposition come.  And they will come. Satan does not want you to depend on God. That’s why Paul warns his readers in 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”

Practice discernment. There's a life-changing truth in Romans 12:2. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The wise person chooses a foundation of truth…instead of the shifting sands of worldliness.

Pray. Begin your days, your decisions, and your conversations with prayer, asking the Lord for the wisdom you need. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)

Share Your Struggles and Successes. You’re not alone. Christians are supposed to stand together on the Rock, so find a body of believers you can meet with regularly for relationship and accountability. Join a Bible Study group if you can!

The parable of the wise and foolish builders reminds us to choose a firm foundation for life.  The only truly firm foundation is Jesus. God is building his Kingdom through Jesus…and in us, so we can participate in his loving plan to redeem and bless the world.